HENRY APPOINTED HEAD OF MONTEGO BAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE—04/25/15
Gloria Henry, the assistant vice-president of operations at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), has been nominated to lead the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Henry will replace Nathan Robb, attorney, as president of the agency. Henry is currently in charge of the Montego Bay Freezone Company. She will be the first woman to be president of the business community group since Pauline Reid.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY TO MAKE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS WITH CUBA—04/28/15
The Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) is scheduled to meet with the National Association of Small Farmers of Cuba (ANAP) to develop bilateral agreements designed to benefit farmers in both countries. According to JAS, the group frequently negotiates with Cuba’s government on prices of production, credits, and other interests of farmers. It is hoped the agreements will  provide additional benefits and programs for members.

MAHFOOD DOES NOT PLAN TO PAY FEE ON IMPORTS OF REFINED SUGAR—04/29/15
Manufacturers in Jamaica hope that the government will back down from its plans to impose a fee of US$35 on imports of refined sugar products. The Ministry of Agriculture and other officials seem to be keeping their position, citing the need to provide financial support to parts of the sugar sector. William Mahfood, operator of a large beverage manufacturing and distribution firm in Jamaica, Wisynco Group,  has said he will not pay the new fee. He believes the fee will make Jamaican products less competitive on the market.

JAMAICA PLANS TO EXPAND TRADE LINKS IN CARIBBEAN BASIN—04/30/15
Jamaica has announced plans to expand and enhance its trade connections with Cuba and Costa Rica. Minister of Industry Anthony Hylton said that Cuba is ready to cooperate in the development of bilateral trade with its neighbors in the Caribbean. Jamaica has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a trade agreement with Costa Rica that seeks to supplement a trade agreement already made between Costa Rica and CARICOM.